The less he plays for the Liverpool, the more his value rises. So it is for Raheem Sterling, who is now the subject of a £40m bid from desperate Manchester City.

Liverpool will, of course, reject the offer. City have upped their bid from £30m to £40m in a matter of days. Liverpool know that making City wait for prime, young English talent will only increase his price.

Liverpool want £50 million for Sterling. When that was announced, it looked high. But now it looks reasonable.

City will make the offer. And it looks very much like no-one else will.